Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 2 Manchester Umited

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside.

The hosts played 51 minutes with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's sending-off but still managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard's volley seconds after the interval.

However, Rafael equalised soon after and Van Persie, one of three United players to miss from the spot already this term, scored his fourth goal in as many games against the Reds - although three of those had come for former side Arsenal - nine minutes from time.

In the end it was something of a relief the talking points were all generated on the pitch as Liverpool marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands in a show of unity before the game - the Liverpool forward had refused to shake the United defender's hand in the league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford in February, having previously been found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season.

Thankfully there were none of the distasteful chants which have marred this fixture for years, although that did not mean there was not an edge to the game.

Evra was overlooked for the captaincy - some say diplomatically - in the absence of Nemanja Vidic so it was Ryan Giggs who released 96 red balloons with Gerrard prior to kick-off.

The result left Liverpool rooted in the bottom three as their worst start to a campaign for a century continues whereas United maintained their usual progress moving up to second.

It was harsh on Brendan Rodgers' side, who continued to take the game to their rivals despite being short on numbers as they desperately looked for their first league victory of the campaign.

United may have left Anfield wondering how they managed to win having hardly threatened in attack and failed to dominate midfield until the final quarter but those concerns will have been of little consequence.

For the first minute of the match three sides of Anfield held up 'The Truth', 'Justice' and '96' mosaics as representatives of the Hillsborough victims' families watched on from the directors' box.

Also present, for the first time since being sacked in May, was former manager Kenny Dalglish - intrinsically linked with the tragedy having played a major role in the aftermath during his first spell in charge.

What he saw in the first half would have been very familiar as for most of last season his sides dominated at home without scoring.

Once Giggs had flashed an early shot wide the momentum was all with the hosts as a Suarez cross-shot was stopped by Anders Lindegaard and headed away by Jonny Evans under pressure from Fabio Borini.

Gerrard drove a low effort from Shelvey's corner into the side-netting and Suarez looped a right-footed shot wide before a match which, possibly because of the all the pre-match commemorations, had lacked the usual hallmarks of a north-west derby ignited.

Shelvey robbed Giggs in midfield but as the ball broke free he launched himself at Evans and the inevitable outcome was a red card, though Evans also went in strongly.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who scored twice in Thursday's Europa League victory at Young Boys, departed down the tunnel having exchanged heated words with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Even with a numerical disadvantage Liverpool continued to pressurize United and Suarez drew Lindegaard into a low saw from his free-kick.

The visitors would have been pleased to reach the interval with their goal intact but it took just 50 seconds after the restart for that to change.

Second-half substitute Suso, making his Premier League debut three days after his first-team bow in Switzerland, saw his cross half-cleared to Glen Johnson.

A tackle from Paul Scholes, on for Nani at half-time, succeeded only in diverting the ball towards Gerrard who volleyed home left-footed in front of the Kop.

The Reds captain, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was the youngest victim of the Hillsborough disaster, whirled away pointing both arms to the sky in celebration and remembrance.

It was short-lived, however, as within five minutes United were level when Shinji Kagawa laid the ball off for Rafael to brilliantly curl left-footed over Jose Reina and in off the far post.

Rodgers' determination not to just shut up shop and settle for a draw was reflected in the approach of his team who made light of the fact they were a man down with Suso having a shot tipped over by Lindegaard and Suarez continuing to trouble the visitors' defence.

But as the match entered the final 20 minutes United began to take more control, although their winner came from their opponents giving away possession on the halfway line.

Daniel Agger and Johnson collided to allow Antonio Valencia to race 50 yards into the area and although Johnson got back he could only bring down the Ecuador international.

Van Persie drilled home - although Reina went the right way and almost made the stop.

Rodgers - The Best Team Lost

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was unhappy with some of the decisions that went against his 'heroic' side as they lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds contributed a battling display on an emotionally-charged afternoon which marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

They were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Jonjo Shelvey was handed his marching orders after a foul on Jonny Evans, but still took the advantage through Steven Gerrard when the influential captain scored soon after the break.

United managed to scrape their way back level through Rafael before Robin van Persie converted from the penalty spot after Antonio Valencia went down in the area following a Glen Johnson challenge.

Rodgers thought the result was unfair on his side and bemoaned some of the decisions made by referee Mark Halsey, particularly Shelvey's sending off.

The Reds boss feels the official was wrong in dismissing the Liverpool player but not Evans after the United man appeared to take both feet off the ground.

He told Sky Sports: "I thought the best team lost. I thought the players were heroic in terms of their performance and their spirit.

"Some of the decisions, I wouldn't want to go on too much, but if Jonjo Shelvey gets sent off then Jonny Evans has to go as well. I think both players' feet were off the floor.

"That was out of our control. I thought the players were brilliant and didn't get what they deserved."

Rodgers was also unimpressed by the penalty awarded to United, particularly after Luis Suarez was clipped in the box but nothing was given.

He added: "It was never a penalty and then Luis Suarez goes down the other end, gets a toe to the ball, the defender doesn't touch the ball, he goes down and it looks a penalty."

Neville - Fergie Won't Be Happy

Gary Neville says Sir Alex Ferguson will not be happy after Manchester United laboured to victory over 10-man Liverpool.

The home side played more than half the match with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey was dismissed after 39 minutes, but claimed a surprise lead when Steven Gerrard struck shortly after the break.

A fine goal from Rafael and a Robin van Persie penalty saw the visitors turn the game around, but Sky Sports expert Neville felt his former team was below par for long periods of the match.

"I thought it was a poor performance," he told Ford Super Sunday.

"If ever there was a reminder of how difficult it is to play at Anfield it was today. They never got going in the first 50 minutes until Liverpool scored and it really wasn't good enough at all.

"Sir Alex Ferguson would have been absolutely livid, screaming the paint off the walls at half-time, I'm convinced of that. He made the change and Paul Scholes came on and even against 10 men and with Paul Scholes on the pitch they couldn't get control of the game.

"Even in the second half, Liverpool dominated possession which was incredible really. You never would have expected that.

"It's never easy to go to Anfield and Sunday was a huge reminder of that."

Both sides united to pay tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster before kick-off, but tensions boiled over on the pitch when Shelvey was shown a red card for a high tackle on Jonny Evans shortly before the break.

Neville said it was sad to see a man sent off on such an emotional afternoon and argued that the referee could have been more lenient to the Liverpool midfielder because Evans had also made a dangerous attempt to win the ball.

"I didn't want a man to be sent off here today," he said.

"I think Shelvey went in over the top with his right foot and Jonny Evans came in and I don't think he was in control of the tackle.

"Personally, I think if he'd given both a yellow I don't think he'd have been out of order, although Shelvey went over the top and that's what Mark Halsey will have seen. I don't think Mark Halsey wanted to send him off, you could see his facials afterwards.

"But Jonny Evans came in with both studs showing and I'm not convinced that both players didn't come in out of control.

"That's where, as a referee, he might have said: 'Shelvey is out of control and it's a red. Evans is out of control and it's probably a red. I could give both a yellow or I could give one a yellow.'"

The home fans were also aggrieved when Halsey failed to award a penalty after Luis Suarez went down under an Evans challenge, but did point to the spot when Antonio Valencia was felled by Glen Johnson.

Neville said both incidents should have resulted in penalty awards, but says Suarez didn't help his case by falling theatrically to the ground.

"The problem is Suarez threw his head back and he didn't need to do that," he added.

"The referee thinks it's an unnatural movement and it's too much. That's his problem. I think it was a penalty.

"United's one is a penalty for me. The mistake Liverpool made is that Agger and Johnson should have taken Valencia out [on the half-way line]. That might sound a little bit cynical, but that's football unfortunately.

"Then Glen Johnson tackled from the wrong side. He's clipped his heel, there's a push in the back and Mark Halsey had no option other than to give a penalty."

Gerrard: Liverpool Fans Shouldn’t Panic

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged fans to remain calm following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds, reduced to ten-men in the first-half following Jonjo Shelvey’s controversial dismissal, controlled possession for large spells and went ahead through Gerrard’s smart turn-and-shot from inside the box.

However, goals from Rafael and Robin Van Persie meant the points went back to Old Trafford, leaving the skipper disappointed but philosophical following a third loss of the season.

"We are not going to use any excuses; we know how many points we've got on the board and it's not good enough. A club like Liverpool, especially at home, should be looking to take maximum points off those sides – it doesn't matter how good they are,” said the England international post-match.

"But it is no time to panic. The fans can see what the manager is trying to do and they can see what the players are trying to do because they are educated supporters. We know if we keep applying that kind of effort and determination it will only be a matter of time before we go on a winning sequence. Not many sides will be able to live with us because we played some good stuff."

Gerrard was particularly disappointed to lose on a poignant day for Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers’ side playing their first home game since the publication of the Hillsborough report, which cleared all fans of any wrong-doing when 96 innocent people lost their lives.

Jon-Paul Gilhooley, the youngest person to lose their life in the disaster, was Gerrard’s 10-year-old cousin, and winning the game would have had special significance for the 32-year-old.

"Playing against Manchester United and trying to get three points means a lot to me. But, because of the occasion and the timing, of course I'd have loved nothing better to get three points and dedicate it to all the families,” added Gerrard.

"So there is an extra disappointment but I thought both sets of fans behaved really well, which was important. Although we got beat I feel slightly different to usual because I am really pleased with how we played and we will win a lot of matches playing worse than that, so that is the positive we will take away."

Liverpool’s next match in the Premier League is against Norwich City, with Gerrard’s side travelling to Carrow Road on Saturday.

Liverpool Offer Ricardo Quaresma Second Chance

Ricardo Quaresma has cleared the way for a proposed move to Liverpool after rejecting Besiktas' latest contract offer.

The 28-year-old Portuguese winger has less than 12 months left to run on his current deal with Besiktas, with whom he has endured a fractious relationship following his £6 million move from Inter Milan in June 2010.

Quaresma is currently training with the club's youth team after an ugly spat with chairman Fikret Orman last week, in which Orman told the player he would 'finish his career' during a row over the winger's refusal to pen a contract extension.

It's just the latest in a long line of incidents troublesome Quaresma has been involved in, with his first year at Besiktas marred by an on-pitch fight with team-mate Nihat.

Three weeks later he was officially suspended after an altercation with then-manager Carlos Carvalhal in the dressing room following a Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The indiscipline has not put off Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers though, who tried to rescue the Sporting Libson product from his Turkish nightmare during the summer, only to baulk at Besiktas's £7 million asking price.

However, with Quaresma refusing to sign on after rejecting their latest contract offer over the weekend, Rodgers is ready to open talks over a pre-contract agreement in January.

Quaresma is desperate to try his luck in the Premier League once again, having failed to earn a permanent deal at Chelsea despite impressing during a six-month loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2010.

The Reds could offer the winger attractive terms on a two-year-deal, with no transfer fee meaning they could match his current £80,000-a-week wages in Turkey.

Tottenham & Liverpool Lead The Race For Isco

Tottenham and Liverpool are leading the chase for Malaga’s Isco as they sent senior scouts to watch his Champions League debut on Tuesday.

Isco did not disappoint in the 3-0 victory with an impressive man of the match performance. He has four years left on his contract at Malaga, which has a £16 million buyout clause which could tempt the cash-strapped into negotiations with Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus also interested.

Isco, still only 20, is a regular in the Spanish Under-21s and has been named in the senior squad but is yet to make his debut. He has made 32 appearances for Malaga this season, helping them to their best ever La Liga finish.

Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini accepts Isco will be on his way and said: “He is a player who has a great future. Nobody knows what his limit is.”

Kelly Out Until 2013

Martin Kelly has been ruled out until 2013 after it was confirmed the Liverpool defender has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The England international had feared the worst after limping out of Sunday's defeat by Manchester United and tests have now revealed the extent of the problem.

Kelly will undergo a reconstruction process of his ligament which Liverpool say will require a 'significant period' on the sidelines.

The defender's absence is another setback for boss Brendan Rodgers, who has yet to win in the Premier League since taking over at Anfield this summer.

Rodgers has also been hit by the injuries suffered by Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini in the 2-1 loss to United, which also saw Jonjo Shelvey sent off.

Agger sustained 'a significant bone bruise to the left knee' and, although there is no ligament damage, further tests will be required to discover when he will return to full fitness.

Italian forward Borini has 'considerable swelling' to his right ankle but an X-Ray did not find any fracture.

The summer signing will undergo an MRI scan on Tuesday to assess any soft tissue damage and determine when he may be able to return to playing.

Daniel Agger Facing Long Lay-Off

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could have suffered a medial ligament injury, which could rule him out for the rest of the season, after being stretchered off in his side's defeat to Manchester United.

Following the controversial 2-1 loss, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers talked about the injuries sustained by two of his players.

He said: 'Fabio (Borini) had a badly swollen ankle. Agger's doesn't look good, the medics were saying it might be a medial ligament. We'll see.'

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first victory at Anfield since December 2007.

But the home side had to play 51 minutes of the game with ten men after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a lunge against Johnny Evans.

Despite this, Liverpool managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard just after half time, but the Reds were then pegged back through a Rafael da Silva wonder goal.

United took the lead when Robin van Persie scored a penalty after Antonio Valencia had been fouled by Glen Johnson in the area.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who had a confrontation with Shelvey after he was sent off, admitted his team had been far from their best.

'A win's a win, so we've got to be pleased with the result, but not the performance,' he told Sky Sports 1.

Liverpool To End Stadium Saga

Liverpool's American owners will end the club's 10-year stadium saga by committing to develop Anfield as a refurbished 60,000-capacity venue, including 7,000 'corporate' seats.

The club publicly maintains that no final decision has yet been made between refurbishment and a new stadium but detailed plans are in place for a phased expansion of the Main Stand and then the Anfield Road stand.

The work is expected to cost about £150 million, a huge saving on the estimated £400m that a new stadium in Stanley Park would cost, although an estimated £50m has been spent by the club on designs and planning for a new stadium.

Naming rights might have helped to subsidize a new venue but no suitable deal has been found.

Liverpool City Council have been working closely with the club on stadium options for years and for a long time were in favour of a new stadium, to be shared with Everton.

The council now believes that official confirmation on the refurbishment is imminent from John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group.

A council spokesman said: 'It does seem to be the case that the club has decided to stay at Anfield and that Liverpool officials are preparing to confirm the decision'.

The importance of resolving the stadium situation is highlighted by Sunday's sell-out game against Manchester United at Anfield, which will generate about £1.5m in revenues for Liverpool.

The corresponding match at Old Trafford will generate more than £3m not just because United have more seats but better corporate facilities for which the club can charge more.

Anfield's 45,000-seat capacity and structure limits the extent to which Liverpool can mount a realistic challenge to rivals including United (who have 76,000 seats) and Arsenal (60,000) – on and off the pitch.

Henry himself has long been supportive of the idea that Liverpool's long-time home should remain their home.

He feels the club can develop without moving in the way that his baseball club, the Boston Red Sox, have done at their home, Fenway Park.

Henry dropped another heavy hint in June that a refurbished Anfield was his preference when tweeting a link to a blog by a Liverpool architect, Peter McGurk, that suggested Liverpool should stay put.

McGurk has no connection to the club or redevelopment.

Council regeneration plans for the area around Liverpool have provided a solution to the long-running problem of freeing up land for Anfield's expansion.

The council intend to acquire property for demolition and refurbishment - and crucially now have the option of applying for compulsory purchase orders if required.

The council will be hoping to avoid any drastic action by offering residents the full market values of their homes plus compensation and relocation costs.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Man Utd

English football's fiercest rivalry will be renewed this weekend as Liverpool and Manchester United go head-to-head at Anfield.

The encounter promises to be an emotionally-charged affair, marking the Reds' first home game since the recent report into the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 supporters lost their lives.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed the Red Devils will offer any assistance possible in ensuring the day goes smoothly, calling for mutual respect from both sets of fans.

The reverse fixture at Old Trafford last season saw Liverpool's Luis Suarez refuse to shake the hand of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra following a much-publicised race storm, but reports ahead of Sunday's game suggest there will be no such incident at Anfield, with the players not expected to cause further controversy on such a sensitive occasion.

Red Devils midfielder Michael Carrick has urged for the focus to be on football ahead of the clash, with United coming into the match on the back of three back-to-back victories and sitting second in the fledgling table.

In contrast, Liverpool is yet to register a win in the Premier League this season under new manager Brendan Rodgers and will be desperate to break that duck against their rivals.

History is on their side, with the Reds having won four and lost none of their last five games in all competitions at home to United.

Both sides come into the clash on the back of European exploits in midweek, with the Red Devils beating Galatasaray 1-0 at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League and Liverpool claiming a 5-3 victory at Young Boys in the Europa League.

Rodgers is expected to bring his big names back into his Liverpool line-up for Sunday's visit, with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez among the stars rested for Thursday's European win.

Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling were substitutes in that clash and could return, while midfielder Jonjo Shelvey staked his claim for a place with a two-goal cameo in the second half in Switzerland.

Joe Cole (hamstring) and Lucas (thigh) remain Rodgers' only injury concerns within his squad.

Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young could return to play some part for United as they close on fitness, but Robin van Persie is likely to lead the line.

Goalkeeper David de Gea kept a clean sheet against Galatasaray and could keep his place between the sticks ahead of Anders Lindegaard.

Alexander Buttner made a goalscoring debut at left-back against Wigan last weekend and Ferguson may choose to keep him in his side.

Rodgers Expects Peaceful Crowd

Brendan Rodgers expects this weekend's emotionally-charged clash between Liverpool and Manchester United to pass off without crowd trouble.

The mouth-watering Premier League encounter at Anfield on Sunday will be the Reds' first home match since the publication of an independent panel's report which absolved Liverpool fans of any blame following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

A minority of United fans reportedly sang tasteless chants about Hillsborough last week while songs about the Munich air crash have been heard sung by a section of Liverpool fans in the past.

Sir Alex Ferguson has also penned a letter appealing to the Red Devils faithful to show respect in light of the Hillsborough report which is to be distributed to supporters at the turnstile.

"Liverpool-Manchester United games are always very emotional," said Liverpool chief Rodgers.

"You add to that the findings of the last couple of weeks and it makes it even more emotional.

"First and foremost, we want to pay tribute to the families, the victims and the survivors. It is our chance to do that.

"After the fight of the last 23 years, it is the very least we can do.

"There has been dialogue all week, there is respect in terms of the traditions of both clubs.

"A lot of work has been done and hopefully Sunday will pass off peacefully and well and we can talk about the tributes and football."

One unwanted side issue has been speculation over whether Liverpool forward Luis Suarez will shake the hand of United defender Patrice Evra following last season's race row.

But Rodgers said he was "very" confident the pair would shake hands.

He added: "I think enough has been said and written about that over the last year.

"This has been ongoing and everything to say about this has been said. There is nothing else I can add other than you just move on."

Gerrard Aims Winning Run

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard hopes a victory over Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday will act as a springboard for a winning run of games.

The Reds go into the clash hovering just outside the early relegation zone with just two points from their opening four games.

Gerrard believes Sunday's clash is the biggest club-game in the world and he is relishing trying to help Brendan Rodgers' side post their first win of the campaign.

He told the club's official website: "For me, it's the biggest because the Premier League is the biggest league in the world and these are the two most successful clubs.

"I'm not being biased when I say that - I think Liverpool versus Man U is the biggest game. Maybe Barca and Madrid is up there close to that, but for me it's still this one.

"It's a massive game - we're looking for our first win of the season and there would be no-one better for us to start getting three points on the board. Hopefully then we can go on a run of winning games and move up the league because our start to the season has been inconsistent."

The Premier League encounter at Anfield will be Liverpool's first home match since the publication of the new report into the Hillsborough disaster which absolved Reds' fans of any blame.

Since the report there have been widespread appeals to fans of all clubs to cease tasteless chanting about tragedies to have befallen their rivals and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been especially forthright in his comments on the matter.

Liverpool boss Rodgers said: "We want this day to be remembered for the right reasons before the game, and the footballing reasons.

"A lot of work has been done and hopefully Sunday will pass off peacefully and well and we can talk about the tributes and football.

"It is an emotionally-charged game. I wouldn't sit here and tell Liverpool supporters how to behave. I know how they have behaved over many years has been fantastic.

"These are well-educated supporters who value humanity. I have no issues or no problems there, the message has been clear, and from Sir Alex as well, in relation to his supporters.

"I am sure once we pay the tributes to the families we can get on with the football."

Fowler Calls For Suarez And Evra To Perform Floral Tribute

Robbie Fowler has suggested Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez should lay floral tributes before Liverpool clash with Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

This weekend's game is significant as it is the first game at Anfield since the publication of the Hillsborough report.

The two players were highlighted since Suarez was banned for eight matches after he racially abused Evra last season.

"It would be nice for Luis Suarez to put some flowers at the United end regarding Munich, and for Patrice Evra to do the same at the Kop," Fowler said.

"The two clubs do have a rivalry, but some things are far more important that football and this is one of them.

"Both clubs have a respect for each other, for what they have achieved in the game."

Eight players and three club staff died in the Munich air disaster of 1958, when the plane crashed on take-off. Ninety-six fans died in the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 when fans were crushed in the stadium.

Evra and Suarez did not shake hands before the last match at Old Trafford in February.

Manchester United captain Vidic is more concerned with the game itself rather than any pre game rituals.

He said, "If they shake hands, they shake hands. I don't think it's the most important thing in the world.

"Its more important not to do any stupid things in the game, to go there and play football - what we dream of, to play that derby and to be all about the football, not about the fighting or any other things.

"To be fair, I don't want to think about that. Obviously we want to focus on the game.

"We have a theme, what happened in history about the fans and we have to respect that day.

"Obviously we can't go with any other issues, we will just go there to play football."

Ayre Plays Down Handshake Issue

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has played down the significance of the pre-match handshake between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra.

Reds forward Suarez was found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Evra during the corresponding fixture at Anfield last October and the row was further stoked by the Uruguayan's failure to shake Evra's hand before the return match at Old Trafford in February.

But with Sunday's latest encounter between the two clubs at Anfield already certain to be a highly emotional affair in the wake of last week's damning revelations concerning the Hillsborough disaster, Ayre says the issue over whether the players shake hands or not is not at the forefront of his mind.

Ayre told talkSPORT: "We will be doing a handshake as there always is and, as regards to the Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra thing, I think it's just a non-story for this day.

"Despite what the media says, nobody has gone and told Luis Suarez what to do.

"Luis is a grown-up, as I'm sure is Patrice Evra, and I think those players, like every other player on the pitch that day and everybody in the stadium, will recognize this isn't a day to talk about who is going to shake whose hand.

"This is about everybody being together for a much more important cause."

The club understandably wants the focus to be elsewhere on what will be a poignant afternoon, the first game at Anfield since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report into the 1989 tragedy in Sheffield.

There have been repeated calls from Liverpool and United, with the latter's manager Sir Alex Ferguson particularly vocal, for fans on both sides to show respect, especially with regard to past tragedies.

Tasteless chants about Hillsborough and the 1958 Munich air disaster have been heard in the past and the clubs want it stopped.

Ayre said: "It will be an emotional and big game for everybody.

"Obviously this is our first home game since the announcement and findings and it's a great opportunity for our fans to pay their respects and in many ways for everybody to pay respect to our fans.

"As much as the families and everyone else fought for this, it goes without saying that our fans have stuck with them and helped with that support throughout, so it's an important day for everyone.

"This is about using the stage to show the world how important this was and how important an announcement it was.

"It's ironic really that it comes with our biggest game of the season so that is in some ways quite nice because the world will be watching.

"We have massive respect for what Manchester United went through with their own tragedy and I remember in Kenny Dalglish's book he made the point that one of the first people to call him after the Hillsborough disaster was Sir Alex Ferguson, and that says it all.

"Whatever happens on the pitch, we are all rivals, but off the pitch at times like this everybody comes together."

Wenger Hints That Walcott Could Be Available In January

Arsene Wenger has given Theo Walcott a two-month ultimatum to sign a new deal - or risk being sold in January.

Walcott is being frozen out at Arsenal, and will not start at Manchester City on Sunday as his contract stand-off drags on.

It will increase the likelihood of Walcott leaving Arsenal - Liverpool will make an offer in the winter window, Manchester City are lining up a mega-bucks contract for a summer Bosman and Chelsea also fancy him.

Walcott has not started a game for Arsenal since stalling on a £75,000-a-week contract offer, and Gunners manager Wenger admits that the next couple of months will be crucial and will decide the player's future.

"I haven't picked him, it's true, and it's quite a good question," said the Frenchman. "I still hope to sign him and the next two months will be vital because, after that, the longer this situation lasts the more difficult it is.

"Let's hope we can find a solution in the next two months but the fact he doesn't play regularly at the moment is right, but it's not necessarily linked with his contract situation."

Wenger insisted Arsenal can afford to go beyond January, but the Mirror understands Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers will bid - and that any offer is likely to be entertained by the Gunners, rather than the alternative of potentially losing him for free.

City and Chelsea would rather wait, and a better personal package is likely to be on offer if Walcott is a free agent next summer.

When pressed on whether Arsenal would sell in January, Wenger said: "It will depend on the needs of the team and the club. We can afford to go to the end (of the contract) if needed.

"No player is happy when he doesn't play.

"At the moment, Koscielny doesn't play. He's just extended his contract and still doesn't play because the defence is doing well.

"That's only temporary because by the end of the season they will all play."

Cole And Lucas Fitness Latest

Brendan Rodgers today provided an update on the fitness of Joe Cole and Lucas Leiva.

Cole has not figured for Liverpool since sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season at West Bromwich Albion, but the boss has confirmed the midfielder is now back in training.

Lucas, meanwhile, is still some way away from a first-team return after picking up a thigh injury last month, though Rodgers is pleased with his progress.

The manager told Liverpoolfc.com: "Joe is back in training with the group. He's still going to need a wee bit of time before he's anywhere near a game.

"He's been out for a few weeks now, so he needs a few weeks' training and a game or two below his belt before we can even consider him for the first team because he's broken down twice now and we need to manage that along.

"Lucas is doing very well. He's working every day, working hard with the medical team.

"They're both doing well."

Rodgers Welcomes Documentary

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is not concerned about how he might come across in a new television documentary about the club.

The Reds granted Fox Sports Media permission to film an access-all-areas, fly-on-the-wall program throughout the summer and during the opening weeks of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

The first of six episodes of 'Being Liverpool' aired in the United States last weekend and will be shown in the UK on Friday night.

Rodgers, who was appointed in June, said: "The filming had already started before I came in, but I have got to say the guys from Fox here at Melwood or elsewhere were fantastic.

"There were no issues, no problems. There was no interference and it was like they were not here at all.

"It is a great insight for the supporters, it's good for them to see what goes on at a football club.

"I'll be busy preparing for training tomorrow but I'm sure my family and other people will tell me how I look!"

When asked if he was worried about that, he said: "Not really!"

Premier League Clubs To Meet Next Week

Proposed spending controls in the Premier League will be discussed at a meeting next week.

The 20 clubs have been split into two groups of 10 on a geographical basis, with the southern group to meet on Monday and the northern group on Wednesday.

The majority of clubs are in favour of some kind of cost control measure - the sticking points are likely to be which measure is adopted and what the sanctions will be for breaking the rules.

Ideas include adopting UEFA's Financial Fair Play system where clubs must break even, or clubs only being allowed to spend a maximum percentage of their annual income on player costs - for example 70%, the system operated by the European elite club grouping G14 a decade ago.

Another proposal is limiting increases in spending on player wages to 10% a year, as suggested by Sunderland owner Ellis Short.

Perhaps the option most likely to win universal approval is clubs having to be able to guarantee they can operate for several years in the future rather than just one.

Under the guaranteed liability plan, if clubs have players on five-year contracts, as most do, they would have to be able to prove they can guarantee those funds for the length of those contracts.

In the case of Portsmouth, the club twice went into administration when some of their biggest costs included paying the salaries of high-earning players who were under long-term contracts but whom the club could not afford.

The clubs most opposed to cost control measures are Manchester City, Chelsea and Fulham but even they might be inclined to accept a system to guarantee financial liabilities.

The sanctions for breaking the rules are unlikely to be as drastic as UEFA's system which threatens to exclude clubs from European competition if they do not come close to breaking even.

In the Premier League, a transfer ban or fine is much more likely to be agreed to punish transgressions.

Dalglish Returns For United Game

Kenny Dalglish will attend Liverpool's match against Manchester United on Sunday to show his support for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

It will be his first visit to Anfield since his second spell as manager ended with his sacking in May.

Dalglish was Liverpool's boss at the time of the 1989 tragedy, in which 96 fans died, and he played a huge part in the club's response, attending dozens of funerals, while also continuing to be a vocal supporter of the campaign for truth and justice.

He also helped read out the names of the Liverpool fans who died when he attended the recent vigil at St George's Hall, that followed the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report into the disaster.

The match on Sunday will be the first at Anfield since the publication of the report, which cleared fans of any blame for the tragedy.

Representatives of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Hillsborough Justice Campaign and Hope For Hillsborough, will be guests of honour.

Match Report: Young Boys 3 - 5 Liverpool

Jonjo Shelvey scored twice as a youthful Liverpool side kicked off their Europa League Group A campaign with a 5-3 victory over Young Boys following a topsy-turvy encounter in Switzerland.

That Brendan Rodgers' second-string side, which included a trio of debutants - two of whom were teenagers - scored five times was something of a surprise considering the struggles of the first-team this season.

They were given an early helping hand thanks to a comical own goal from Juhani Ojala and 19-year-old Andre Wisdom scored on his debut after Raphael Nuzzolo had equalised following a Jose Enrique error.

But Ojala then headed in at the right end and Gonzalo Zarate made it 3-2 before the match turned around again when Sebastian Coates headed in and then Shelvey netted a brace.

It was the first time Liverpool had scored more than once in eight European away matches and their first in any group stage game away from home since beating PSV in December 2008.

Rodgers wanted to give his younger players a chance to prove they were good enough and while they may not have convinced him he will not have to make 11 changes for Sunday's visit of Manchester United - having left the likes of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez at home - they at least displayed the character he was looking for.

Despite concerns about the inexperience of the squad, having left eight senior players at home, the average age of the starting line-up was 24 - although that was pushed up slightly by 34-year-old Jamie Carragher.

Their veteran centre-back was the only player on the field who played in Liverpool's last away win in European competition - excluding qualifiers - when the Reds beat Romanians Unirea in February 2010.

The comedy started in the fourth minute when the Young Boys' defence got themselves in a tangle for no discernible reason.

Stewart Downing's right-wing cross did not look to be threatening but Dusan Veskovac headed the ball back across goal and his central defensive partner Ojala headed in.

That was only the beginning as Wisdom's inexperience at this level caught him out when he went to fetch the ball thinking he had a throw-in.

While he was off the pitch a ballboy tossed another to Young Boys, who quickly restarted, leaving Wisdom - more accustomed to the reserve team where you fetch your own ball - running back on still carrying the ball he had chased.

But if that error was down to inexperience, Jose Enrique's decision to dribble away from the hands of Brad Jones in the 38th minute was bad judgement as he passed straight to Nuzzolo - who drilled in a first-time shot before Jones had time to recover properly.

Wisdom, however, came to his defensive colleague's rescue two minutes later when he produced a huge leap to head home Nuri Sahin's corner.

The goal was Liverpool's 200th in this competition since they first took part in 1967-68.

Wisdom was also the first Reds defender to score on his club debut since Gabriel Paletta in October 2006 - which is where the England Under-19 international will want the comparison to end.

Just before the break Alexander Farnerud, who had earlier failed in trying to claim a penalty for Carragher's challenge, hit a low shot against Jones' right-hand post.

The second half was less than 10 minutes old when Raul Bobadilla was given far too much room on the right to pick out the run of Ojala to head in at the far post.

When Bobadilla outmuscled both Carragher and Suso, another debutant, to send Zarate down right the Argentinian neatly dinked over Jones.

Liverpool needed a quick response and it came within four minutes as Coates' looping header crept in at the far post with substitute Fabio Borini claiming a touch which was barely - if at all - there.

Borini had a more decisive influence on the winner as he picked out Jordan Henderson's run and the midfielder cut the ball back for Shelvey to fire home - and the same player added a similar second late on.

Rodgers' maiden Europa League campaign is up and running in the most unlikely way - and the Northern Irishman will be pleased his selection gamble did not backfire on him.